Loose-leaf binder



H,s.Ho RN LOOSE 'LEAFYBINDER Filed Jan. 12, 1923 May 12, `1925. 1,537,67-5

By Attorneys,

fj i

INVENTOR Patented May l2, 1925.

UNITED STATESg HENRY STANLEY Henn, or canne-n, new Jnnsnv.

l Loose-nner arianna.

Application filed January 12, 1923. Serial No. 612,195.

T0 all 107mm t 172m/ concern.'

Beit known that I, HENRY STANLEY HORN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in East Orange, in the county of Essex and. State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvenients in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders and aims to provide certain improvements therein.

While applicable to any type of binder in which perforated leaves are removably attached to the cover, it is particularly dir rected to binders of the semi-permanent type such as record books, ledgers, albums, and the like.

The invention relates to the type of binder in which there is a spring arch or plate provided, one endat least of which is detachable from the binder andvis capable of swinging back so as to permit the introduction or removal of the leaves. In this type of binder it has been heretofore proposed to provide one or both lends of the spring plate with side notches which fit into the openings in a plate fixed to the side or back of the binder. In such construction, however, the notching of the end of the plate is detrimental since the notched end is apt to catch in the leaves during its passage through the openings in the latter and tear them. According to the present invention I provide a device of this type in which the ends of the spring pla-tes are smooth and continuous, so that there is no possibility of injury to the leaves during insertion and removal. According to the invention I provide a spring plate which has an aperture or recess of appropriate form which is de signed to engage a projection on the binder v when the plate is sprung inwardly and released. In the preferred construction the plate is provided with an elongated opening, preferably rectangular in form, which engages a tongue formed upon the base plate. The invention has other features of improvement which will be hereinafter more fully described. f

In the drawings which illustrate several forms of the invention:

Figure l is a vertical section of one form of the device taken on the line 1 1 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 in Figure 1i Fig. 3 is a plan of the base plate and section taken onthe line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modifica, tion taken on the line il in F ig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken von the line 5 5 in Fig. 4.

f Fig. 6 is a section of another modification taken ontho line 6 6 in Fig. 8.

Fig. `7 is a section taken on the line '7 7 in Fig. 6. f

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred forni of spring band. y

Referring first to Figures l to 3, let Ai` indicate a suitable cover and preferably the back part thereof upon which the spring band is to be mounted. I prefer to use in connection with the cover a single metal` base suoli as B which is designed to engage both ends of the spring plate C, although i thisis of course not essential. The spring plate C (Fig. 9) maybe of any desired. width, Vbeing shown in the form of a wide springband, and its ends are free from pro-- jections of anylrind which might injure or mar the leaves. .Preferably theends `are* provided with transverse perforations vor slots D which may be conveniently narrow and elongated, theslots being designed` to engage tongues E, `Ill formed from `the metal of the base plate or platesv It will be` observed tliatit is not necessary that this construction be availed of at more than one end of the spring band, the opposite end the line 8 8 co f being connected in any way, either permanent `or otherwise, which will permit it either to be removed or to spring back in order to permit insertion orremoval of the leaves.

The tongues E, E are generally of the same cross-section as the opening or recesses D, and are adapted to be engaged by the band` after4 the latter has been sprung inwardly to bring the opening in alignment t with the tongue. When the tongues are formed upon a metal base such as -is illustrated, the metal is cut away as'indicated at F so as to permit the end of the spring plate to pass below the level of the "tongue, I and thus bring` its opening into alignment therewith. In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3, I provide on each side of the tongue E, anabutment G which is adapted to engage the lower edge of the end of the spring plate, and thus support it aga-inst a rocking movement Which might eventually bend. or otherwise injure the tongue. This construction also holds the spring plate in more fixed and stable position. The abutments Gr, as shown in Figures l, 2, and 3, comprise metal Which is depressed below the general level of the base, which may be done either by cutting the metal to torni lugs and bending the lugs, or by forming the metal in pockets.

It desired, the 'plate at one end'is provided with a tongue E which is longer than that of the opposite end., leaving just sufiicient room toxenable the spring' band to be inserted into place as best illustrated in Fig. 3; This will permit the removall ot the co1'- responding end of the band it ythis is desired, but will prevent any possibility of its accidental removal when the band is disengaged from the opposite tongue7 and, hence, is under no springstress to keep it in engagement With the remaining tongue.

In the construction thus described, the band is free from all objectionable tean tures; it iseasily and 'quickly engaged and disengaged; and adequately and firmly holds the leaves, even in the case of a heavy book, Without any' considerable play With relation to the base. A

In Figs. 4l and 5' the tongues E2, E3 are struck upwardly from the base plate B. This construction is not as advantageous as that just described. In this case, however, the portions ot thebase immediatelyT under the ends of the spring base constitute abutn ments for preventing` tilting, as indicated at (l2. In this construction also one of the tongues E3 may be turned to form a hinge joint if desired, thereby making permanent connection with the spring plate'. o

In the construction shown in Figs'. 6 to S. the tongues instead of being directly struck up from the body of the base are struck up from flanges I-I, H. l I

The modifications illustrated in Figures l to 8,. 6 and 1" are preferred for most pur poses since they provide a construction in Which the top of the base is smooth, having no upward projections. This lends itself to simplicity of construction of the binder. The base may be united to the back or side of the binder in any suitable Way, as, for instance, by the eyelets shown.

IVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it Will be understood that I do not Wish to be limited thereto, since various changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

`What I claim is: l

1. A loose leaf binder' having a spring' plate having means for attachment at one end to the binder, a perforation in its-other end, a `tongue carried bythe binder tor entering said perforation, and an abutmentbelow the tongue and belowthe end of .the spring plate against which said end contacts, said abutment comprising depressed portions formed of the same piece of metal as forms the tongue.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a base plate substantially smooth at its top, havingu tongues atopposite ends extending-inward intoaslot leading to said tongues,y and an arch-shaped spring` vplate having pertorations at its ends adapted to engage said tongues, the metal ot said base plate being depressed lon each side of said tongues to form abutments against which the ends ot' the spring plate may abut when the spring plate is in place. n

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. i

HENRY STANLEY HonN. 

